On Saturday, tens of thousands of Israelis participated in protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed measures to tighten control over the Supreme

Court, ahead of the 75th anniversary of Israel's establishment. Last month, the plans were put on hold due to a wave of strikes and mass demonstrations. However, the latest protests against the proposals come as Israelis prepare to celebrate both Israeli independence day and Israeli memorial day, which honor those who lost their lives in Israel's wars and terror attacks.

Miri Pinchuk, a 53-year-old photographer whose father was killed during the Yom Kippur War, spoke to Reuters, saying, "He gave his life for this country because he was raised with the belief that it would be a democracy." The proposals would grant the government effective control over the appointment of Supreme Court judges and permit parliament to override many court decisions, causing one of the most significant domestic crises in Israel's recent history.

The government claims that activist judges have been increasingly encroaching on parliament's role and argues that an overhaul is necessary to restore balance between the judiciary and elected officials. However, critics argue that the proposals will eliminate vital checks and balances that underpin a democratic state and give unchecked power to the government.

Israel's public broadcaster released a poll on Friday, revealing that 53% of respondents believed that the plans would harm the country. Additionally, 60% of Israelis felt that the government did not represent them, and 48% believed that the situation in the country would continue to deteriorate. In central Tel Aviv, crowds have been gathering for the past 16 weeks in defiance of the plans they perceive as a threat to Israeli democracy. They have been waving blue and white Israeli flags, which have become a symbol of the protests over the past three months. Photo by צילום: אורן פלס, Wikimedia commons.